Senior Director, Index Research & Development

Intercontinental Exchange Holdings, Inc.•New York, NY

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Director of Index Research & Development to lead our Index Research & Development team in designing, developing, and implementing next-generation index methodologies. This strategic leadership role will drive innovation in index construction, backtesting new ideas and approaches to provide solutions to evolving investor needs. While the core role is the development of new indices and approaches to index construction, a critical part of the role is to also deliver thought leadership to our clients and put ICE Data Indices at the forefront of innovation in index design. This Index R&D role is not confined to any specific asset segment boundaries. Suitable candidates are expected to be deeply knowledgeable of fixed income securities and analytics, but also familiar with equities and commodity futures, swaps, etc., and all associated quantitative methods for analyzing risk and return of these market segments.

Requirements

Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master's) in Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or related quantitative field
10+ years of progressive experience in quantitative research within indices, asset management, investment banking, or financial markets
Proven track record of developing and implementing quantitative methodologies in production environments
5+ years of leadership experience managing quantitative research or analytics teams
Programming: Expert-level proficiency in Python for quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and automation
Database: Advanced SQL skills for complex data extraction, transformation, and analysis
Numerical Methods: Deep expertise in advanced numerical techniques including: Optimization algorithms (linear, quadratic, convex, non-convex) Stochastic calculus and time series analysis Numerical linear algebra and matrix computations Monte Carlo methods and statistical simulation Computational efficiency and algorithm design
Strong understanding of index construction methodologies, factor models, and portfolio theory
Experience with distributed computing frameworks and large-scale data processing
Comprehensive knowledge of global equity, fixed income, commodity, and/or multi-asset indices
Deep understanding of market microstructure, trading mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks
Expertise in risk modeling, performance attribution, and quantitative portfolio analytics
Familiarity with benchmark governance, index licensing, and industry standards (IOSCO principles)

Nice To Haves

Machine learning and predictive modeling (supervised and unsupervised learning)
Feature engineering and dimensionality reduction techniques
Natural language processing for alternative data analysis
Deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) for financial applications
Experience with R, MATLAB, C++, or Julia
Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, Databricks)
Version control (Git) and DevOps practices
Published research in peer-reviewed journals or industry publications
CFA, FRM, or other relevant professional certifications
Experience with ESG data, alternative data sources, and climate risk analytics
Track record of patent applications or proprietary methodology development

Responsibilities

Define and execute the strategic vision for Index R&D initiatives aligned with business objectives
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quantitative researchers, data scientists, and index specialists
Collaborate with senior leadership to identify market opportunities and drive product innovation
Establish research priorities and allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects
Present research findings and recommendations to executive leadership and external stakeholders
Design and develop sophisticated index methodologies incorporating advanced quantitative techniques
Conduct rigorous research on factor models, portfolio construction, and risk-adjusted performance optimization
Evaluate and implement cutting-edge approaches to index weighting, rebalancing, and constituent selection
Perform quantitative analysis of market microstructure, liquidity dynamics, and transaction cost modeling
Develop proprietary frameworks for ESG integration, thematic indices, and alternative beta strategies
Architect scalable quantitative frameworks and computational infrastructure for index calculation and backtesting
Implement advanced numerical methods including optimization algorithms, Monte Carlo simulation, and machine learning techniques
Develop automated data pipelines and analytical tools to enhance research productivity
Ensure robust validation, testing, and quality control of all methodologies and systems
Stay current with academic research and industry best practices in quantitative finance
Partner with Product Management to translate research insights into commercially viable index products
Collaborate with Index Operations to ensure seamless implementation and maintenance of methodologies
Work with Sales and Client Services teams to provide technical expertise and thought leadership
Engage with external clients, consultants, and industry partners on complex quantitative challenges
Contribute to white papers, publications, and conference presentations to enhance firm visibility

Benefits

Regular full-time ICE employees are eligible for a suite of competitive employee benefits, including healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), a 401(k) plan, life insurance, time off, and paid leave for qualifying circumstances.

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